Ella Jenkins, “First Lady of Children’s Folk Song,” Dies at 100

Ella Jenkins, the prolific musician, educator, and entertainer known as the “First Lady of Children’s Folk Song,” has died. Smithsonian Folkways, the label that released all 39 of Jenkins’ albums during her lifetime, confirmed the news in a statement posted to Instagram, sharing that she died “peacefully” at her longtime Chicago, Illinois, home. She was 100 years old.

Ella Louise Jenkins was born August 6, 1924 in St. Louis, Missouri, though her family moved to Chicago’s south side shortly after. Despite receiving no formal musical training, it was here Jenkins first discovered gospel music, blues, and rhyming children’s songs and games, as well as being introduced the harmonica by her Uncle Flood. In 1951, she graduated from San Francisco State University, where she studied sociology, child psychology, and recreation.

Source : Pitchfork